FEDERAL EARNED INCOME CREDIT (EIC)
Am I Eligible?
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is only available to persons who work. There are various rules and restrictions for who is eligible. These are explained under the categories of general and financial eligibility listed below. If you are married and you do not work, but your spouse does work (and your tax status is "married filing jointly"), your household may still be eligible for the EIC.
Claiming the Earned Income Credit will not affect your eligibility for other programs such as TANF, Medicaid, SSI, SNAP food stamps, or housing assistance. However, if you receive an Earned Income Credit payment and don't spend it in a certain period of time, it might be counted as an asset and affect your eligibility for these other programs.
 You can use the Internal Revenue Service's Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant to help you find out if you are eligible for the EIC and to estimate the amount of your credit.
Click on a category for more information:
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The Earned Income Credit is potentially available to low and moderate-income workers provided they meet various rules and restrictions. Immigrants who are legally authorized to work are eligible to claim the EIC.
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The Earned Income Credit program has income limits in order to be eligible. These limits vary according to whether or not you care for one or more "qualifying" children.
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